Researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Zaragoza have discovered the fossil of a previously unknown species of otters, which they have named Vishnuonyx neptuni, meaning ‘Neptune’s Vishnu’. The species was discovered from a 11.4-million-year-old strata in the area of Read More …
Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
Telecom Department simplifies KYC processes
The Department of Telecommunications on September 21, 2021 issued a series of orders simplifying the KYC processes and thereby initiating the telecom reforms announced by the Cabinet on 15.09.2021. Aadhaar based e-KYC process has been re-introduced for issuing of new Read More …
Indian Coast Guard seizes Sea cucumber
Why in the news? In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team at Mandapam, Tamilnadu seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species. Working on a tip-off about illegal transhipment of sea cucumber in the wee Read More …
Anti-Tank Guided Missile Helina
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad has completed all trials of the indigenously made Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), Helina. The Army had started the process for issuing of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). After the AON, the Request Read More …
Global Innovation Index 2021-India climbs two spots to rank 46th
India has climbed two spots and has been ranked 46th in the Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings. The Global Innovation Index 2021 was released by the World Intellectual Property Organization on September 20, 2021. India has been on a rising Read More …
Two new Humboldt penguins in Byculla Zoo
Why in the news? Recently, Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo announced the addition of two new Humboldt penguin chicks this year. The two join seven adult Humboldt penguins at Byculla Zoo — Popeye, Flipper, Bubble, and the new parents. What is Humboldt? Penguins Read More …
EU-USA announced Global Methane Pledge
The European Union and the United States announced on September 17, 2021 the Global Methane Pledge, an initiative to reduce global methane emissions to be launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November in Glasgow. The initiative Read More …
What is a ‘bad bank’?
The Government of India on September 15, 2021 approved a Rs 30,600-crore backstop facility for guaranteeing securities to be issued by the “National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited” (NARCL) also called as the “bad bank”. The bad bank is being set Read More …
Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD)-World’s first five-country biosphere reserve
Why in the news? The UNESCO on September 15, 2021, designated Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) as the world’s first ‘five-country biosphere reserve’. Which are the five countries? The Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) biosphere reserve covers 700 kilometres of the Mura, Drava (Zagreb) and Danube Read More …
India’s first pilot plant to convert high ash coal to methanol
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has developed the fluidized bed gasification technology suitable for high ash Indian coals to produce syngas and then convert syngas to methanol with 99% purity. BHEL has integrated its existing coal to syngas pilot plant Read More …
Nutri-Cereal Multi-Stakeholders’ Mega Convention 3.0
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on September 17, 2021 inaugurated the two-day “Nutri-Cereal Multi-Stakeholders’ Mega Convention 3.0” at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), in the Hyderabad. The Minister said that it was upon Read More …
Ministry of Electronics & IT launches MeghEA Scheme
Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology on September 17, 2021 launched Meghalaya Enterprise Architecture Project (MeghEA). The MeghEA initiative is spread across 6 pillars i.e. Governance, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Primary Sector, Infrastructure and Environment, and envision to make Meghalaya Read More …
JIGYASA programme to cover schools in over 700 districts
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched countrywide free Telemedicine Consultation cum drugs facility on the occasion of birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17. The Minister also announced that “JIGYASA”, a student-scientist connect programme of the Ministry of Read More …
India’s 61st Software Technology Park inaugurated in Nagaland
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar on September 17, 2021 inaugurated Nagaland’s first and India’s 61st Software Technology Park of India (STPI) in Kohima at the Directorate of Information Technology & Read More …
What are Folk Rice Varieties?
According to a recent study, as many as 12 folk varieties of Indian rice examined by researchers can supplement the nutritional demand of important fatty acids in undernourished mothers. These folk rice varieties can further supplement the arachidonic acid (ARA) Read More …